The Kingdom-Driven Family

Communicating the “Big Idea”

Andrea Schwartz

March 3, 2015

To mark the first of Chalcedon’s 50th anniversary celebrations that will take place on March 7th, one of my e-letter subscribers arranged for me to be interviewed on a talk radio station in Carrollton, GA.

The three hour time differential made it so I was up in the wee hours of the morning to discuss the importance of Christian self-government, Christian education, and the applicability of God’s law-word to every area of life and thought.

Many tell me that hearing these topics discussed and explained are helpful as they endeavor to share these ideas with family and friends. Continue reading

“Parenting: The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” Webinar

Andrea Schwartz

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February 20, 2015

Listen in to this edited version of a live webinar presentation of the Kingdom-Driven Family as I (Andrea Schwartz) tackle questions posed to me by moms who want to parent according to God’s Word.

I sincerely hope this helps you as you undertake the important job of raising Kingdom-driven children in your day-to-day family life.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Andrea Schwartz

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February 19, 2015

One of the byproducts of being a parent, especially a mom, is gaining skill in settling disputes among brothers and sisters. This requires an understanding of the heart of man apart from Jesus Christ, and that, despite how cute one’s little darlings are, they are first and foremost sinners. Thus, it should be of no surprise that as soon as children become mobile, they are more than capable of manifesting their sinful natures when someone or something does not conform to their likes and dislikes. In a family setting, that someone usually ends up being a sibling.

At first it is tempting to want to make the standard to be that no problems or arguments at all are allowed in the household. While that may seem preferable, it is unrealistic inasmuch as those who live in close proximity to one another tend to trespass against each other on a regular basis. That is precisely why built in to the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9–13) is an acknowledgement of this reality and a reminder to forgive as we have been forgiven. Continue reading

Lying by Omission

Andrea Schwartz

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February 16, 2015

Recently a young woman I know received a letter from her doctor encouraging her to come in for a pap smear. For those unfamiliar with this test, it is used to detect cervical cancer. Along with the letter came an FAQ page designed to answer questions and handle any concerns or objections to this “routine” screening. The questions that were presented and then answered included:

Who should get a Pap test?
How common is cervical cancer?
Do I need a Pap test even if am feeling well and have no symptoms?
Does it have to be so embarrassing?
I have not had sex in a long time. Do I still need to have a Pap test?
What happens if my test comes back positive?
I am in a monogamous relationship. Do I still need a Pap test?

One question missing from this list is one most applicable to anyone who subscribes to godly sexuality and has lived a life accordingly, namely,

What if I am a virgin and have not had sex?

Why was this question left out? Continue reading

A Scone’s Throw Away

Andrea Schwartz

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February 12, 2015

Sometimes the most mundane things can remind us that we serve a sovereign God. Although some may call certain occurrences coincidences, it is important to remember that in God’s economy the more proper term is providence.

My daughter works at a café. On the days that she works the closing shift, she returns home with baked goods that were not sold. Because these are rarely gluten free (and all of us in the family are), she has become a neighborhood favorite as she shares these goodies with our neighbors. They now know that when she comes a-knocking in the early evening, she is often bearing gifts.

The other day she came home with leftovers and, due to some appointments she had on her day off, she didn’t make her neighborhood run that night or the next day. When I was about to leave in the early afternoon to go to the athletic club for my workout, I decided to grab them and give them to one of the club staff who is always very cordial and helpful. Upon my arrival, I told Ashley that I had a present for her—scones. She was delighted and jokingly asked if she was required to share them with anyone else. I told her that they were all hers. Continue reading

It’s Just Stuff

Andrea Schwartz

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February 9, 2015

One of my most vivid memories of my childhood was the day, while visiting a favorite aunt, that I broke one of her possessions. I don’t exactly remember what it was, but I do remember the look on my mother’s face, and it was not a pleasant one. I had a propensity to be clumsy, sometimes by accident (as in this case), and sometimes on purpose (when it came to not wanting to drink my milk). I remember thinking, “I am in a heap of trouble.”

Before I could be admonished by my mother, Aunt Emmy replied, “Don’t worry about it. It’s just stuff. At least Andrea didn’t cut or hurt herself.” Then she got out the broom and swept up the mess. My cascade of emotions had just run the gamut. From envisioning “life in prison without the possibility of parole,” I returned to the backyard to play with my cousins free from anxiety. Continue reading

Putting Legs to Their Faith

Andrea Schwartz

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February 5, 2015

As parents we want to convey to our children the essential doctrines of Christianity. We must let them know that all men are hopelessly lost and at war with God until the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ covers their sin and produces in them repentance and faith. But we cannot stop there. We must teach them that if there are no works to demonstrate their faith, theirs is a dead faith. (James 2:14–26)

A great summary of what it means to live the Christian life is contained in Psalm 15. Continue reading

Whose Burden Are You Carrying?

Andrea Schwartz

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February 4, 2015

I have the privilege of interacting with “on-the-job” wives and mothers who seek to put God’s law-word into action in their own lives and in the lives of their children. More often than not, I get to hear their litany of things that they consider they are not doing well in carrying out their calling. Their kitchen counters are too messy, their children are not up-to-date with their studies, or the laundry is piled way too high.

A Scripture comes to mind that I believe is relevant to this scenario. Proverbs 14:4 tells us,

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

This means that if productive work is taking place, one should not expect everything to be in its place at all times. Continue reading

Suffering in Silence

Andrea Schwartz

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January 30, 2015

Ephesians 5:11 tells us to having nothing to do with the deeds of darkness but to reprove and expose them. Thus, it is not a virtuous act to experience an injustice and let it continue without seeking help or assistance. We need to be (and teach our children to be) people who place a high premium on justice. God’s law is an objective one and we should address instances when we have been victims of injustice.

I used to instruct my children that although God’s law is most often expressed in the negative, e.g. “Thou shalt not steal,” it also conveys the idea none should be silent or approving when someone is stealing from them. Of course, in a society that fails to put God’s laws and their penalties into force, it is all too easy to just endure injustice rather than combat it. Infractions against us, in truth, are not primarily against us. When one of God’s laws is broken, the offense is first and foremost against Him. That is why it is the responsibility of the person sinned against to seek remedy and not perpetuate the offense (against himself or others) by keeping silent. Anything less leaves doubt that one wasn’t victimized but acted in cooperation. Continue reading

A Tall Order

Andrea Schwartz

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January 26, 2015

One of the recurring conversations I had with my daughters as they grew up was that I was not responsible in a direct sense for the color of their hair or eyes, their height, or whether they had natural inclinations for a particular activity that caught their interest. When we studied biology and the science of genetics, I was informed that I was one-half to blame for anything they didn’t appreciate in their appearance or talents.

My youngest, for example, was quite irate with me when, at the age of eight, she was already taller than most jockeys, so that “career” path would not be an option for her. Likewise, she had to come to terms with the fact that, in spite of her obvious talents in singing and acting, she was not likely to land leading roles if the men who were auditioning for parts were considerably shorter than she. It took all of my “mommy encouragement” to help both daughters embrace the fact that being tall was an advantage on a lot of fronts. In addition, they had to accept that there wasn’t a whole lot either of them could do about it (Luke 6:27). Now, years later, both daughters are 5’10” tall. Continue reading